LOOKING FOR A GRAND FINALE

Published 4:00 am, Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Dominique Carter has written her name into the record book at USF, but that doesn't mean anything to her because she hasn't accomplished the one thing she's wanted ever since coming to the Hilltop: a postseason berth.

"I want to be remembered for helping the team get into the NCAA Tournament," said Carter, who is second all-time in points scored at USF with 1,782. "No one remembers who scored and how many accolades I've had. They remember what the team has done."

The 21-year-old Tracy High grad will get her final chance Thursday as seventh-seed USF (14-15) takes on second-seed Santa Clara (19-10) at noon in the first round of the WCC tournament in San Diego.

Despite the Dons losing seven of their last eight games, Carter isn't especially worried since the one win in that stretch was an 88-73 rout of the Broncos.

"It's far from over and anything can happen," Carter said.

Carter, who became just the second player in conference history to be a four-time all-WCC-first team selection, has earned the respect of her peers and her coaches over the years.

Photo: Deanne Fitzmaurice

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###Live Caption:USF senior Dominique Carter takes practice in the gym at the University of San Francisco. February 27, 2008 in San Francisco, Calif. Photo by Deanne Fitzmaurice / San Francisco Chronicle###Caption History:USF senior Dominique Carter takes practice in the gym at the University of San Francisco. February 27, 2008 in San Francisco, Calif. Photo by Deanne Fitzmaurice / San Francisco Chronicle###Notes:###Special Instructions:Mandatory credit for photographer and San Francisco Chronicle. No Sales/Magazines out. less

###Live Caption:USF senior Dominique Carter takes practice in the gym at the University of San Francisco. February 27, 2008 in San Francisco, Calif. Photo by Deanne Fitzmaurice / San Francisco ... more

Photo: Deanne Fitzmaurice

LOOKING FOR A GRAND FINALE

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"Phenomenal career," said Santa Clara coach Michelle Bento-Jackson, who is in her sixth season with the Broncos. "She always has been one of my favorite players in the conference. I've enjoyed watching her over the years, (but) certainly not (coaching) against her."

Carter has never experienced team success.

The Dons have had three straight losing seasons - quite possibly their fourth unless they win two games in the conference tournament - and have never gotten out of the semifinals. They have played the role of spoiler, however. Two years ago in the first round, the 5-foot-11 forward led the seventh-seeded Dons over second-seeded Gonzaga on the Bulldogs' home court in what Carter calls the most memorable game of her career.

"I think I like playing from behind and being the underdog," she said.

Unlike past years, the Dons experienced early success this season. They jumped out to an early 3-1 conference record (capped by a game in which Carter scored a career-high 35 points) but collapsed down the stretch, winning just one game in February. USF coach Tanya Haave thinks it was a case of nerves.

"This program hasn't been used to it," Haave said. Teams "were coming hard at us."

Added Carter about the Dons: "Most talented team and most frustrating team (of my career). We lost trust in each other when things weren't going our way. We started splintering. "

As USF heads into the final stretch, Carter's teammate and roommate Leslie Walker said she's seen Carter become more of a leader this season, and consequently the Dons have won more games than in any other during Carter's career.

"She's inspired the rest of the team to pick up our game and she's helped other players get better," Walker said. "These last few games she's been really vocal about getting things down right. It'll be exciting to see how the rest of the season finishes off."

If the Dons are going to make a move, Carter will have to shoulder the load. Her team expects nothing less.

"It all starts with her," Haave said. "When she gets going - and other people key (in) on her - it's a cyclical effect and gets passed down to her teammates.

"I expect her to give it her all."

Carter at USF

A look at the career numbers for Dominique Carter, who has led the Dons in scoring each of her four seasons at the Hilltop: